Inner Studio has brought its popular wellness studio to South Yarra.
Wellness has moved from an aspirational lifestyle movement to everyday behaviour for the vast majority of us. Cold plunges, breathwork and sauna sessions were once buzzwords, but are now as routine as going to the gym. A host of stylish wellness spaces in Melbourne, including Inner Studio’s dreamy Collingwood venue, are contributing to making self-care more desirable than ever. And they’ve opened up a new hotspot to nourish your body and relax your mind when visiting Melbourne or enjoying a staycation.
Inner Studio have expanded to South Yarra.
Following the success of their Collingwood outpost, Inner Studio have opened doors to a two-storey venue in South Yarra. The studio was founded by brothers and former AFL players Will Slade and Ben Sinclair, who unsurprisingly know a thing or two about the importance of stress resilience and recovery. Rather than a traditional day spa, the space invites wellness enthusiasts to partake in the practices that helped them perform at their best.
Unwind in the 40-person sauna.
Downstairs, there are two curved concrete magnesium pools – a hot pool (38 degrees) and a cold pool (between 5 and 8 degrees), as well as the southern hemisphere’s largest sauna, fitting up to 40 people. Upstairs, an acoustically engineered studio hosts breathwork, yoga and mat Pilates classes. There is also a chill-out area with a fireplace and a tea station to relax in.
Conceived in-house by Slade, both floors are designed to make you linger. Lush greenery creates a rainforest-like feel while soft lighting keeps things instantly calming, and a materials palette of terrazzo tiles and concrete brings a bit of edge.
The adults-only space is open seven days a week, welcoming those in need of a quiet moment.
Details
Lush greenery contrasts with concrete and terrazzo.
Best for: Wellness enthusiasts and those in need of some recovery time
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 6am-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am-9pm
Age restrictions: 18+
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
From geothermal pools and luxury spa sanctuaries, Victoria’s mineral-rich waters and restorative landscapes offer total renewal.
I pass waving coastal spear-grass and coast saltbush as I follow the curving path through 15 hectares of thoughtfully curated gardens at the Mornington Peninsula’s Alba Thermal Springs & Spa . I hang my robe at the entrance and slip into the first sunken geothermal pool I find – feeling the tension from the 90-minute drive from Melbourne melt away as I watch steam dance across the surface in the late afternoon light. There are 31 pools, a mix of geothermal, cold plunge and botanical, that range in temperature and design, spread over six regions.
Alba Thermal Springs & Spa on the Mornington Peninsula. (Image: Visit Victoria)
I gravitate toward The Hemisphere, with its dry sauna, steam room, cold plunge and dreamy open-air pool called The Hide. But it’s Alba’s brand-new Sanctuary that really elevates the experience. The five luxurious stand-alone villas and two additional studio rooms opened in June 2025 and feature an indoor fireplace, oversized bathtub with views across the bay, a deck and extensive all-inclusive (minus the cocktails) mini-bar.
After dining at Alba’s Thyme restaurant, I return to my villa, content to fall asleep early listening to the fire crackle, feeling thoroughly restored. While Alba is one of the newest in the region, it’s certainly not the only place to enjoy a soothing soak. Here are others to book for a wellness weekend.
Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa
The marble private bathing room is one of five new designs. (Image: Supplied)
Nestled in the Daylesford region, Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa has been welcoming guests to its historic bathhouse for 130 years. With a $1.7 million renovation now complete (part of the 21st season of Channel 9’s The Block), find five new private bathing rooms, an apothecary experience where guests blend a custom body scrub and all-new spa treatment menu.
There are three bathing areas: Bathhouse for communal bathing for all ages, adults-only Sanctuary and a private bathing space for a personalised experience – try the skin-softening Mineral Milk Bath.
Lake House Daylesford
The main pool at Lake House Daylesford. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Inciting deep exhales, the spa at Alla Wolf-Tasker’s iconic Lake House has long been a beacon of wellness in the region. Tucked into the cottage gardens that wind down to the lake’s edge, the spa is beautifully and deliberately cloistered away from guests and diners visiting the celebrated on-site restaurant.
From Ayurvedic facials and hydrotherapy that makes use of Daylesford’s mineral waters, to cocooning thermal rituals and massage, treatments here promote tranquillity. While a day spa experience is delightful on its own, staying on the property adds a luxe layer to your corporeal renewal, especially if you’re in your own private spa villa.
Metung Hot Springs
Glamping tents at Metung Hot Springs. (Image: Emily Godfrey)
Imagine immersing yourself in a barrel overflowing with geothermal water, all while taking in views of Gippsland Lakes. It’s one of several unique bathing experiences available at Metung Hot Springs .
There’s also a floating sauna and a Reflexology Walk constructed with carefully placed stones designed to stimulate the acupressure points in your feet as you walk. The 12-hectare site opened in 2022 with three bathing areas – Bathing Ridge, Lagoon Precinct and Hilltop Escarpment – and premium glamping tents that feature king-size beds and private bathing barrels.
Four more blissful day spas to visit
Lon Retreat & Spa is an award-winning, adults-only retreat on the Bellarine Peninsula.
